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Affiliated Degree Programs

The degree programs in International Education provide educators with opportunities to study education – both formal and non-formal – in various countries and regions around the globe. Historically, the concentration has placed an emphasis on non-formal education; recent developments in the curriculum also focus on the formal sector with specific emphasis on education reform, teacher development, and capacity building with institutions of higher education. The programs of study also help to bring an international dimension to education in the United States. Degree candidates develop competencies in areas such as theories of international education development; teacher education; education policy, planning & leadership; training; adult literacy and education; gender issues in development; and education in post-conflict settings.

All students are expected to learn more deeply about social justice issues in education and to understand collaborative and participatory approaches to education development. Graduates are expected to demonstrate an in-depth awareness of cultural differences; the ability to apply critical theory and pedagogy in both schools and communities; and practical skills in training, project development, research, and evaluation. The combination of academic courses, a collaborative community structure, and active involvement in applied projects and research activities combine to provide the curriculum of the concentration.

Master's Degree

Admissions Criteria

The Masters degree in International Education is designed for early-to-mid-career professionals with relevant experience in international field settings. Applicants should show evidence of a commitment to social justice; to creative and innovative activities such as independent study, research projects, or educational materials development; ability to interact with cultures or groups other than their own; ability to do quality graduate work; strong English ability; fluency in a language other than English; and ability to complete at least one year, full-time residency. Get additional information regarding the admissions process.

Degree Program Requirements

Masters programs are individually designed in dialogue between the student and the faculty advisor; require 36 course credits including a Master's Capstone Project; and typically take 4 semesters to complete. There are three required courses: Foundations of International Education (taken in the first semester); Research Methods for Master’s Students; and the Capstone Seminar in International Education (taken in the last semester). Other courses can be chosen from International Education and elsewhere in the College of Education or University according to the goals of the student's program of study. Find examples of Master's projects and theses

Doctoral Degree

The Ph.D. degree is in Education, with a concentration in Educational Policy and Leadership (EPL) and a specialization in International Education. Students must meet the requirements of the College of Education, the EPL concentration, and the International Education specialization. The program of study offers solid grounding in education policy and social theory with application to settings of professional practice.

Admissions Criteria

The Ph.D. is designed for professionals with substantial relevant international field experience (a minimum of two years, but often much more). Successful applicants demonstrate a professional commitment to conducting rigorous research about issues affecting marginalized populations, often those in conflict- or emergency-affected countries and regions. Equally important, they must also demonstrate a commitment to professional practice in these areas. Successful applicants also demonstrate a commitment to issues of social justice and to improving education for those most marginalized. Find additional information regarding the admissions process.

Program Requirements

A Ph.D.student, together with a faculty guidance committee, formulates an individualized study plan which balances academic work with relevant experience. This plan typically includes study at three interrelated levels: 1) the theoretical, such as the study of the relationship between education and socio-economic or political change; 2) the practical, where skills are developed in research and evaluation design and methods, planning and policy analysis, curriculum and materials development, and training and management; and 3) the contextual, which focuses on sectors such as literacy, health, or agriculture and the implications of different socio-cultural settings. Most students also seek to strengthen their knowledge of current conditions in a particular country or region of the world.